While the Ubaldo Jimenez trade rumors swirled through Progressive Field on Friday night, the Indians staged yet another remarkable comeback victory.
Trailing 2-1 in the bottom of the 9th inning, the Tribe mounted a furious rally against Joakim Soria, the Royals' electric closer.
Soria quickly worked himself into some trouble when he drilled the foot of the lead-off man, Asdrubal Cabrera. Travis Hafner's fielder's choice, though, erased Cabrera, and Soria appeared to have righted the proverbial ship. However, Carlos Santana laced a double down the right field line, advancing Orlando Cabrera, who had pinch-run for Hafner, to 3rd base. Then, the newest Indian, Kosuke Fukudome, lofted a sacrifice fly to left that tied the game. Lonnie Chisenhall's walk brought Matt LaPorta to the plate, and LaPorta lined a walk-off home run over the left field wall. As the crowd roared, LaPorta jogged around the bases, pointed his fingers toward the sky, fired his batting helmet to the ground, and disappeared into a sea of white jerseys at home plate.
Moments later, the Tribe finalized a deal with the Rockies that sent 4 prospects, including pitchers Alex White and Drew Pomeranz, to Colorado in exchange for Jimenez. Last season, Jimenez won 19 games, but he has only 6 victories in 2011.
Following LaPorta's heroic blast, the Indians also dealt Orlando Cabrera to the Giants. San Francisco gave the Tribe a minor league prospect for the veteran 2nd baseman.
Despite allowing only 2 tallies in 8 superb innings, Justin Masterson merited a no-decision, but he would have been the loser if the Indians had not produced that 4-run 9th.
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| A raucous celebration capped this remarkable evening |
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